Nuffield Health has announced it will cover the clinical investigation and surgery costs of all its patients who have had PIP implants.

Campaigners, politicians and prominent plastic surgeons have all put pressure on cosmetic firms to remove the implants after tests revealed French company PIP substituted medical grade silicone with cheaper industrial grade silicone used in the production of rubber tubing.

Andrew Lansley, the Health Secretary, said it would be unacceptable if clinics neglected their responsibilities to their patients.

Dr Andrew Jones, medical director of Nuffield Health, said it would be writing to former breast enlargement patients who had been given PIP implants to see if they have concerns.

He said: "Investigations have yet to determine whether PIP implants pose a specific risk to patients."

"Should any procedure carried out at one of our hospitals cause concern, we have always, and will continue to take responsibility to put things right. This case is no different."

Nuffield Health said it stopped using PIP implants when concerns were first raised in March 2010, and wrote to the patients affected inviting them to attend a consultation.

Nuffield is one of the largest private healthcare providers in the UK, and no other private clinic so far has matched its pledge. To find a Nuffield Health clinic near you, use our searchable private hospital database.

The Government still refuses to advise mass removal of the PIP implants, despite the French government offering to foot the bill for their removal in France.

Nuffield Health the first private clinic to fund PIP breast implant removalNuffield Health has announced it will cover the clinical investigation and surgery costs of all its patients who have had PIP implants. CamFollow @activequote

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